The mantlet was the one with the wheels. In Epic 40K, it's called a
Rhino ;-). The pavaise was a huge shield carried in front of the
archers. Both were abandoned in the 15th century in favor of approaches
(trenches).
The testudo is more than just a unit with shields. In most games, a
unit in the testudo formation receives an additional bonus against
bowfire from any direction and an armor bonus in melee with usually a
penalty in movement and/or a reduction in the unit's melee strength
(since not every one in the unit could fight). Only well-trained troops
could form the testudo. It was very effective against field
fortifications and cities in antiquity, but advances in castle building
or lack of well disciplined troops made it obsolete around the late dark
ages or early middle ages.
For an example of the testudo in film, it appears in the first part of
Anthony and Cleopatra. (However, I think the addition of a spike on the
boss of the scutum was a Hollywood embellishment.)
--Elaine
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at
http://www.hotmail.com
Received on Wed Sep 16 1998 - 12:54:11 UTC